BMW looks like a good shout I had not had them on my radar. I assumed they would be too expensive, sorry Alex the fiat 500 is just too girly even for me.

Only problem is my wife really likes the Mini might take a bit of persuasion to get her to like the BMW.

Sheldon, my wife has a 6 month old Mini Cooper S convertible, fun little engine with enough power and reasonable fuel consumption for what it is (35mpg). But in my opinion the driving position is awful for anybody over about 6ft 1. I really wish it wasn't as I really want to enjoy it, but it puts me off driving it. If it was mine I'd drop the seat about 3 inches and it would be perfect (steering is adjustable in all directions) but it's perfcect for her (5ft 4) so I've been told I'm not allowed.

It might not effect you, but definitely have a good test drive before getting one. Infact if you're ever in the Cotswolds feel free to pop in and you can try it for yourself

A colleague bought a cooper SD at the same Miles'wife got her roadster; they are good cars.
The SD does over 65mpg... I'd be looking at that too but, the thing that really ticked the box for me is Graham Seat leon ecothinggy which is good on fuel as all the gadgetry... A golf in drag .
A3 quattro would be perfect because our commutes are 36miles of Cotswold countryside road each way...

If it was mine I'd drop the seat about 3 inches and it would be perfect (steering is adjustable in all directions) but it's perfcect for her (5ft 4) so I've been told I'm not allowed.

My wife has R56 Cooper (non-S) and she loves it. In ours you can adjust the height of the driver seat - the lever in front of the driver's seat on the right hand side raises and lowers the seat - you have to pump the handle and it moves up/down by a cm or so each pump.

My wife has R56 Cooper (non-S) and she loves it. In ours you can adjust the height of the driver seat - the lever in front of the driver's seat on the right hand side raises and lowers the seat - you have to pump the handle and it moves up/down by a cm or so each pump.

I'm not that thick! It's just the height adjustability isn't enough for me and I still feel like I'm too high up.